On Thursday, December 18, 2025, China's Foreign Ministry Special Envoy for Asian Affairs will embark on a shuttle diplomacy mission to Cambodia and Thailand, aiming to broker an early peace agreement amid recent border clashes.
The envoy's second trip this month underscores Beijing's active role as a regional mediator. According to a ministry spokesperson, "As a close neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China closely follows the ongoing border conflict between the two countries and has shuttled between the two sides to promote peace."
The envoy will first visit Phnom Penh, meeting Cambodia's foreign ministry officials to discuss a cease-fire roadmap and confidence-building measures. From there, he will travel to Bangkok to engage Thai authorities in parallel talks.
Since mid-December, artillery exchanges near the Surin province in Thailand and Cambodia's bordering regions have raised tensions, with villages on both sides feeling the impact of the sporadic shelling. The December 16 incident, captured by VCG photographers, saw Thai forces firing towards Cambodian positions in Surin province.
By leveraging shuttle diplomacy, China hopes to de-escalate the situation quickly and pave the way for a longer-term dialogue on border management. "Through its own way, China has been working actively for de-escalation," the spokesperson added, highlighting Beijing's preference for quiet, incremental diplomacy over public grandstanding.
Analysts say that successful mediation could strengthen ASEAN's collective security framework and set a precedent for handling future disputes among member states. With regional stability at stake, all eyes are on the envoy's progress and the potential for a swift cease-fire.
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Chinese envoy to travel to Cambodia, Thailand for shuttle diplomacy
cgtn.com
